ICYMI: Guthrie Addresses Internet Access, Safety

WASHINGTON, D.C.– At two subcommittee hearings this week, Congressman Brett Guthrie (KY-02) addressed broadband internet connectivity and what can be done to create more internet access for Second District residents, as well as the importance of protecting consumers from phishing websites.

Guthrie is a senior member of both the House Energy and Commerce Committee’s Subcommittee on Communications and Technology and the Subcommittee on Digital Commerce and Consumer Protection.

The Communications and Technology Subcommittee held a hearing Tuesday focused on rural broadband access, where Guthrie had the opportunity to speak about two of his bills. The Spectrum Action Deposits Act, which was ultimately included in legislation that was signed into law in March, would make more spectrum available for commercial use and innovation. Spectrum is the term for radio frequencies that power wireless technologies. The Making Available Plans to Promote Investment in Next Generation Networks without Overbuilding and Waste (MAPPING NOW) Act would create a national map identifying areas that lack broadband internet access.

“I have a district that is rural, suburban, and urban,” said Guthrie. “I live in Bowling Green, which has experienced a bit of a boom, and if you looked at a map you would say Bowling Green is covered with broadband, but it depends on where you live. I have very rural counties and even where I live there are broadband issues, and people can’t develop because no one wants to buy a home that doesn’t have broadband access moving forward. We need to get more specific in mapping because the way we have it by county is too broad.”

At a Digital Commerce and Consumer Protection Subcommittee oversight hearing with the Federal Trade Commission on Wednesday, Guthrie spoke about the need to protect consumers online from phishing websites.

“The concern that I have is fake websites,” said Guthrie. “When you go online and you’re seeking information such as a hotel or a rental car reservation, and you have to put in your information, how do you really know the identity of a website? We need to ensure that consumers have the tools to identify real websites versus phishing sites.”